Statement to the iPNB on Democratization of Pacifica
Written by the Democratization Working Group of
Concerned Friends of WBAI.

Resolutions 1-3 are based on those passed by the National
Free-Pacifica movement in Crystal City and by
Concerned Friends of WBAI.

Resolution 3, which adds specific proposals for listener
produced programming, and Resolutions 4 and 5 come from the
deliberations of the Democratization Working Group
(Mike Beasley, Patty Heffley, Andrea Fishman, Fran Luck, John Moran
Marcia Newfield, Larry Romsted)

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January 8, 2002
Opening Remarks

The five resolutions presented here are part of a new vision for the
structure of the Pacifica network and for the participation of
listeners in the foundation. Within the framework of the settlement, a
new democratic, inclusive structure is being created for decision
making to carry-out the Mission of Pacifica. This new vision includes
active participation of listeners in the work of the foundation at all
levels.

The basic elements of the Pacifica Mission are: operate a
self-sustaining radio stations for educational purposes; provide an
outlet for the creative skills and energy of the community; teach
radio, engage in activities that spread understanding between nations,
and individuals of all races, creeds and colors, disseminate
information on conflicts between such groups, and study the origins of
antagonisms; disseminate public information from atypical news sources
that provided accurate comprehensive news. Active participation of
listeners in governance will strengthen and promote the work of the
network.

Elections of Station Board members in 12 months and Pacifica National
Board members in 15 months and the establishment of democratic
processes within the stations are basic to this new democratic
decision making. However, as the US election system demonstrates to us
with unceasing regularity, elections themselves do not guarantee real
democracy because they can be controlled and manipulated by
concentrated wealth and power that excludes ordinary citizens,
especially communities of color, from meaningful participation.
Securing democracy requires active participation of all members of the
community to prevent manipulation or domination of the network by
outside organizations.

Here in the WBAI listening area we have already started working on
democratizing decision making. Last year the Elections Committee of
Concerned Friends of WBAI worked on draft guidelines for Station Board
elections. The Exploratory Committee of the WBAI Local Advisory Board,
headed by Lee Kronick, is working to the revise the Station Board
bylaws and to develop the final structure for the election of station
board members at WBAI within 12 months. On January 5, 2002 David
Greene the Elections Coordinator at KPFA gave a presentation to over
60 listeners, WBAI LAB members and producers on the election structure
used at KPFA for their first two elections of Station Board members.

(Note: We have used the term Station Board, SB, instead of Local
Advisory Board, LAB below and sometimes above, because once the bylaws
are rewritten, the boards will no longer be just advisory to the PNB.)

We are calling on the members of the iPNB to support the five
resolutions below so that together we, listeners, producers, staff and
board members, will fulfill the mission of Pacifica.

To save time we will summarize the resolutions and provide the full
text in written form.

Resolutions

Resolution 1. Democratization of the Foundation

 All members of the Station Boards, SB, and the Pacifica National
Board, PNB, will be directly elected by listener-supporters and staff
and producers at each station.

 The bylaws of the Pacifica National Foundation need to create a new
definition of member as someone who contributes to the operation of
Pacifica stations and the network financially or by their labor.

 The iPNB should make real the terms of the settlement by helping
each Station Board to develop a plan for democratic participation in
Pacifica's governance that includes oppressed communities.

 The iPNB ensure the democracy of the bylaws-rewriting process by
mandating listener participation at the SB and PNB levels.

 This election process should be an open process that includes town
meetings with PNB members in attendance for discussion of Pacifica
policies and governance.

 All PNB meetings, including conference calls should be broadcast and
webcast.

 Paid and unpaid station staff and producers will develop their own
processes for ensuring democratic decision making within the station.
Their rights as workers will be protected by representation by the
union of their choice;

 Funding will be provided for staff and equipment at the station, SB
and PNB levels to carry-out elections and ensure listener, station
staff and producer participation;

 At the December 17, 2001 meeting of Concerned Friends of WBAI the
following resolution was passed in support of a democratic structure
for Pacifica:

No Pacifica National Board or Station Board bylaws shall a be approved
that permit members of these bodies to be self-selected, appointed, or
to take their seats by any other process than a democratic election by
the listener-supporters, listener-volunteers and the staff and
producers of the Pacifica Stations.

Note: this resolution is consistent with the relevant sections of the
Settlement Agreement: Paragraph 1, Point 2, Paragraphs 3(b) and 3 (c)
and Paragraph 4.

Resolution 2. Guaranteed Access by Station Boards and Listeners to
each Pacifica Station.

Some elements that will secure this right include establishing
processes for:

 ending the gag rule;

 reasonable physical access to the station by SB members and
listeners;

 space for open, public Station Board meetings at each station;

 guaranteed air time, at least 3 hours as in Dave Fertig's motion to
the iPNB, for public discussion of Pacifica governance issues such as
announcement of public meetings, information on SB elections including
on-air candidate forums and carts;

 providing relevant technical help to air listener and SB
announcements;

 appropriate access to listener-subscriber lists for SB business;

 listener programming specifically designed to encourage the active
participation of oppressed communities;

 participation of SB and listener representatives on station Program
Councils; and

 monthly station financial reports.

Resolution 3. Guaranteed access to the airwaves of listener-produced
programming.

The form of access by listeners would include, but not be limited to:

 Broad based and greatly expanded internship program providing
training in all aspects of radio production that includes grounding in
the Pacifica Mission and history. Internship to be publicized to
oppressed communities and youth, but available to as many others
wanting to learn these skills as is possible. (Internships could be
geared to different levels of radio experience.)

 After internship/orientation, encourage these trainees to produce
programs with supervision and technical help provided by the station
(licensed engineers, etc.)

 Set-aside of specific timeslot(s) for airing listener-produced
programs on a rotating basis. Assuming many submissions,
listener-produced programs to be chosen by a programming council that
would include listeners as well as staff.

 listener-produced programs to be aired in this slot(s) could also
include those produced outside of the station as well as on the web.

Expanded opportunities for listeners to create and air programming
would offer the listening community the possibility of experiencing
more original talent, vision and diversity of perspective, be a
testing ground for future programmers, and break down the artificial
divide between "listeners" and "producers".

Resolution 4. The PNB develop alternative funding sources to replace
CPB funding as soon as possible and reject CPB funding if any funding
restrictions are imposed.

Resolution 5. The PNB mandate that all bylaws ensure the independence
of Pacifica's voice by rejection of all government or corporate
funding and the establishment of a mechanism for approval of funding
from all other sources.

Summary

The new vision of Pacifica is based on democratization of decision
making and participation at all levels, from elections of Station
Board and Pacifica National Board members to democratic decision
making by producers and staff. But the vision runs even deeper. No
longer are listeners simply providers of money for programming by the
station (so called "cash cows"), but are direct contributors to the
operation and development of the foundation and programming via their
representatives on the SB and PNB and Programming Councils, as direct
participants in the creation of programs and as developing
programmers. Direct participation of listeners means that the
listeners will become advocates for the station and help expand the
size of the Pacifica audience. Finally, rejecting funding from
government and corporate sources will reduce the danger of future
takeover and control of Pacifica.